Grafton Supervisor Ray Darling dies at 68

A combination of recent heart procedures and a rampant infection claimed the life of Grafton Supervisor Ray Darling Friday.

"It was all heart related," said Nelson Darling, Ray's brother. "Ray had had heart valve replacement surgery and he started having problems recently."

After discovering a severe infection that left his replacement heart valve severely damaged, doctors hospitalized Darling and performed the operation again.

"I guess they said the infection had pretty much gone through him," Nelson Darling said. "His heart came through strong, but his other organs and such were failing. He finally passed last night."

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Born in Grafton in 1945, Darling, 68, lived in or around the area for most of his life, finally returning to the town of his birthplace.

His brother Nelson described Ray as "very outgoing and open. Ray friends easily, and made friends all over the world. He was a strong proponent of arm wrestling and nurtured the sport."

Indeed, Ray Darling was an 11-time world champion of the sport.

"He won the nationals a couple years ago," Nelson said. "But he decided not to go to the world championship. He could've gone for his 12th, but he didn't."

Instead, Nelson said his brother decided to get involved in the town where he was born.

Last November, Darling, a registered Republican, ran against an incumbent Republican on the Democratic Party line and won.

"Ray just wanted to work for the betterment of the town," Nelson said. "He didn't want to get involved with the politics of it, but just wanted to work for the betterment of the town."

County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino concurred.

"I was very saddened to hear of Ray's passing," she said. "He was an individual who took it upon himself to serve his community and his dedication will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family and the many that could call him a friend."

Darling had eight grandchildren, was an outdoorsman who loved Grafton and its people, according to Nelson.

Jan Shields, a town Democratic committeewoman, said she was "shocked" at the news of Darling's death.

"He was a really fit, virile guy," Shields said. "I would have expected him to be the last person to fall victim to something like this."

Shields said Darling hardly had gotten a chance to get started as supervisor after health setbacks sidelined him soon after his election.

"He had that heart procedure soon after he took office, so he was on sick leave for a while," Shields said. "He'd just gotten back in the groove and this happened."